Top story: EY and PwC full return-to-office seems unlikely

PwC and EY won’t be going fully back to the office any time soon, it seems.

A recent Fortune article explored how return-to-office (RTO) mandates could evolve in 2025, featuring perspectives from Yolanda Seals-Coffield, Chief People Officer at PwC, and Ginnie Carlier, Chief Talent Officer at EY. Both leaders emphasized the importance of flexibility and hybrid work, hinting that the model is here to stay, despite increasing pressure for in-office presence.

Seals-Coffield noted the benefits of in-person interaction, such as fostering connection, collaboration, and creativity, while acknowledging hybrid work's advantages. “Hybrid workers demonstrate the highest levels of satisfaction, and hybrid schedules allow for more purposeful engagements,” she explained, suggesting that PwC sees hybrid work as a long-term norm.

Carlier echoed this sentiment, highlighting flexibility as a key workforce demand. “Organizations that embrace hybrid working, focused on bringing people together for moments that matter, will lead in recruiting and retaining talent,” she stated.

However, the landscape may not remain static. Some suggest that RTO mandates have been a subtle tool for encouraging voluntary attrition, particularly when layoffs are undesirable. With attrition rates at Big 4 firms still lower than anticipated, these companies might adopt a firmer stance on in-office attendance to balance workforce levels.

For now, hybrid work seems secure, offering organizations a competitive edge in retaining talent and enhancing employee satisfaction. Yet, as business needs and workforce strategies evolve, the future of flexible work could hinge on how firms balance operational demands with employee preferences.

Read more here.

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